Hose straightening device

ABSTRACT

A device for holding straight a short length of normally curved semirigid hose while metal fittings of an external diameter greater than the internal diameter of the hose are forced into the ends of the hose. The device consists of a pair of clamping members somewhat shorter than the hose arranged to clamp the central portions of the hose straight, in combination with a pair of supporting fingers at opposite ends of the clamping members. The fingers are biased in a direction to straighten the ends of the hose projecting beyond the clamping members, the fingers being yieldingly supported to allow expansion of the hose ends as the fittings are forced thereinto.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Theodore C. Johnson 6011 BriardallLane, Solon, Ohio 44139 [21] AppLNo 818,749 [22] Filed Apr. 23, 1969[45] Patented May 25, 1971 [54] HOSE STRAIGHTENING DEVICE 8 Claims, 9Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 29/200, 29/235 [51] Int. Cl ..B23p 19/00, B23p 19/02 [50]Field of Search 29/200, 235, 200 (P), 200 (J), 200 (B) [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,373,474 3/1968 Doerer 29/200 3,378,9094/1968 Esposito Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney-Meyer,Tilberry and Body ABSTRACT: A device for holding straight a short lengthof normally curved semirigid hose while metal fittings of an externaldiameter greater than the internal diameter of the hose are forced intothe'ends of the hose. The device consists of a pair of clamping memberssomewhat shorter than the hose arranged to clamp the central portions ofthe hose straight, in combination with a pair of supporting fingers atopposite ends of the clamping members. The fingers are biased in adirection to straighten the ends of the hose projecting beyond theclamping members, the fingers being yieldingly supported to allowexpansion of the hose ends as the fittings are forced thereinto.

PATENTEDNAYZSIQYI I 3579786 SHEETIUFS THEODORE C.JOHNSON ATTORNEYSPmmEnmssn $579,786

INVENTOR.

THEODORECJOHNSON ATTORNEYS PATENTEU MAY 2 5 I971 sum 3 or 3 FIG. 5

l8 l6 'HI f 1 e2 FIG. 7 HG. 8

INVENTOR.

THEODORE C .JOHNSON I Z wm m ATTORNEYS The present invention relates toan assembly jig, and more particularly to a hose-clamping andstraightening device.

The invention is particularly applicable to assembly of railroadairbrake hoses and hose fittings, and will be described with particularreference thereto, although it will be appreciated that the inventionhas broader applications.

. US. Pat. No. 1,866,644 describes a type of hose and hose fitting whichis used for railroad airbrake systems. In particular, this patentdescribes a hose assembly comprised of a short length of hose with anipple fitting clamped in one end and a coupler fitting clamped in theother end. To securely clamp these fittings in the hose both areprovided with a cylindrical end and, spaced from the end, an annularrounded bead of much greater circumference than the inside of the hose,over which the section of airhose is forced. n the side of the beadremoved from the cylindrical end, the hose is securely held onto thenipple or coupler fitting by a ring clamp.

As can be imagined, these hose sections are subjected to substantialstresses and very severe conditions. Often they are left dangling fromthe railroad cars, and are subjected to banging and frequent contactwith flying objects. In addition they must be able to withstand highinternal air pressures, very low temperatures and corrosive conditions.Because of the severe stresses and conditions to which they aresubjected, the hoses are specially designed and constructed to be strongand rigid, rendering it difficult during assembly to force the hose endsover the beads of the hose nipple and coupler fittings.

Assembly of the fittings to the hose ends has been facilitated by theuse of jigs including an elongated cradle to contain the hose, and aclamp of the same length to frictionally hold the hose longitudinally inthe cradle. At opposite ends of the cradle, piston actuated rams orholders supporting the nipple and coupler fittings force them into thehose ends while the hose is clamped in the machine cradle.

The problem which is experienced is that the hose sections have anatural bend or curvature caused by the fact that the hoses duringmanufacture are cured on large diameter reels.

Not only are the hose sections normally curved, but the radius ofcurvature of one hose section may be different from that of another,depending upon whether the hose section is taken from a first, second,third or other wrap on the reel.

2 fittings, and rounded beads thereon, are forced within the hose ends.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the fingers arecup-shaped and have a concave surface generally facing the front side ofthe clamping' members, the radius of the surface being substantiallyequal to the outside radius of the hose ends engaged thereby.

in the assembly operation, because of the curvature of the hose, it isnecessary for the operator to hold the hose within the jig cradle duringthe clamping step while the clamp is brought down against the hose. Eventhen, because the hose fittings, particularly the beads thereof, causethe hose to bulge outwardly when the fittings are inserted within thehose, the cradle and clamp which engage the hose must be of shorterlength than the hose by the amount equal to the penetration of thefittings. Though the length of hose extending beyond the cradle andclamp may be only in the order of a few inches, the curvature in theseextending portions is sufficient to throw them out of alignment with thepiston actuated rams which support the fittings.

Accordingly, the operator's hands still must be utilized to hold thehose ends straight during the step of assembling the fittings within thehose ends. Complicating the clamping and assembly steps is the need onthe part of the operator to actuate'the machine controls, and becausethe hose ends have to be held in both steps, substantial operator timeis lost in the overall operation.

The present invention overcomes the above referred to problems andothers in a simple and economical manner.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided, in combination witha device of the general type described including clamping membersarranged to frictionally hold and straighten a central portion of hosewith the ends of the hose projecting beyond the ends of the clampingmembers, a means for straightening the projecting hose ends comprising apair of fingers spaced from the clamping member ends biased in adirection to force the hose ends into alignment with the straightenedcenter portion thereof, the fingers being yieldingly supported to allowexpansion of the hose ends as Preferably, the fingers each define an arcwhich extends from about the bottommost plane of the cradle upwardly terminating in an upper lip, the fingersbeing supported on arm meansgenerally vertically oriented.

Accordingly, it is a principle object of the invention to provide anassembly jig particularly suitable for the assembly of airbrake hosesystems, which overcomes the disadvantages of prior assembly mechanisms.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved hose straightening device for the assembly of a hose and hosefittings which automatically holds the hose ends straight and alignedwith fitting holders, regardless of the radius of curvature of the hose,and which at the same time is adapted to accommodate expansion of thehose ends by the hose fittings inserted therein.

The invention, objects and advantages thereof will become apparent uponconsideration of the following specification, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an exploded, enlarged,perspective view illustrating a portion of a hose-straightening devicein accordance with the concepts of the invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the assembly jig front view and itsoperation in accordance with the concepts of the. present invention;

FlGS. 5-'-8 illustrate principles of operationof the hosestraighteningdevice of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 being a section view taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 2; FIG. 6 being a section view taken along lines 6-6 of HO. 3;FlGS. 7 and 8 being section views taken along lines 7-7 and 8-8,respectively of FIGS. 5 and 6; and v FIG. 9 is a partial section view ofa hose and hose fitting.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an assemblyjig A whichincludes a hose-straightening device B, and onopposite sides of thedevice, hose-fitting holders C and l), the straightening deviceincluding a lower cradle mechanism E adapted to hold a hose F. Above thecradle mechanismis' a hose clamping mechanism G. V .f-

Turning to the drawings in detail, and in particular FlGS. l- 4, thelower cradle mechanism E of the hose-straightening device B is comprisedof a lower frame member 12, the frame member supporting a channel 14which in the upper surface 16 thereof defines a longitudinally extendinghalf-round trough or cradle 18 (FIG. 1) in which the hose F is adaptedto be seated. The cradle is approximately U-shaped having an insidediameter which is substantially the same as the outside diameter of thehose positioned therein. 1 7,

Above the lower cradle mechanism, the clamping mechanism G is supportedon an upper frame 20, extending vertically above the lower frame 14, theclamping mechanism G comprising a longitudinally extending upper channel22 which defines in the lower surface 24 thereof (FlGI 1) a downwardlyfacing longitudinally extending half-round trough or cradle 26-. As withthe lower cradle 18, the upper cradlef26 is semicircular in shape,having an inside diameter which is substantially equal to theoutsidedianieter of the hose being straightened. V a

The upper and lower channels 22 and 14 are substantially coextensivewith each other, the upper channel having a normal position (FlG. 4)which is spaced from the lower channel 14, and a lower clamping position(FIG. 3) where it is iner gagement with the lower channel. In the loweror engaging position, the upper channel 22 cooperates with the lowerchannel to engage the hose F frictionally along a substantial portion ofits length around its entire periphery, the frictional engagement by thechannels 22 and 14 preventing axijal move ment of the hose within thehose-straightening device.

To move the upper channel between its upper normal position (FIG. 4) andits lower clamping position (FIG. 3), the clamping mechanism'is providedwith a vertically movable ram 28 which supports the channel 22 at pivotpoint 30, the ram being movable vertically on piston 32 driven by doubleacting air chamber 34. Controls (not shown) are provided for raising andlowering the ram 28.

A purpose of pivotally supporting the upper channel 22 is to permit thechannel and hose to align automatically with each other during theclamping step in the event of slight misalignment of the hose in thelower cradle 18.

At opposite ends of the lower channel 14, or on opposite sides of thelower cradle mechanism E, the assembly jig A is provided with axiallymovable holders C and D which support fittings 36 and 38 (FIGS. 2-4).These holders are movable horizontally on piston members 40 and 42towards and away from the hose ends 44 and 46 by means of double-actingpneumatic or electrical actuators (not shown). The axes of movement ofthe holders C and D are aligned with the axis defined by the upper andlower cradles I8 and 26. In the embodiment illustrated, the right-handholder C supports a coupler fitting, whereas the left-hand holder Dsupports a nipple fitting.

The hose F is placed in the lower cradle 18, with the upper channel 22spaced from the lower channel, and the upper cradle is lowered intoengagement with the hose (FIGS. 2 and 3) clamping on the hose. Followingthis, the right and left holders C and D are simultaneously actuatedtowards the hose ends 44 and 46, the fittings thereby being insertedwithin the hose ends. Subsequently, the fittings are released from theholders C and D (by mechanisms not shown) and the holders are retractedto their original positions spaced from the hose ends (FIG. 4). Theupper channel 22 then is retracted to its normal position spaced fromthe lower channel, and the hose F is removed from the lower channel bythe operator.

From the above, it is apparent that the purpose of the upper channel 22and cradle 26 is simply to clamp the hose F against the lower cradle 18to prevent axial movement of the hose during the assembly operation, theholders C and D being movable to the extent required to insert thefittings a substantial distance within the hose ends.

As mentioned, details of the hose and hose fittings are shown in US.Pat. No. 1,866,644. Broadly, these details are shown in FIG. 9, both ofthe hose fittings, the nipple and the coupler, being provided with acylindrical body portion 48 having removed from the free end 50 thereofa rounded radially extending bead 52 of substantial height, andsubstantially greater diameter than the inside diameter of the hose. Onthe side 54 of the bead removed from the end 50, the fitting is providedwith a cylindrical surface 56 of substantial axial length. When thefitting is inserted within a hose end (44, 46) the hose expands andrides over the rounded bead and rearwardly along the cylindrical surface56 a distance sufficient to accommodate an external ring clamp (58 and60, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) encompassing and engaging the periphery of thehose over the surface. These hoses are subjected to severe pullingstresses, and very highintemal pressures, so that the bead 52 has to beof substantial height to prevent the hose from being pulled or forcedfrom the fitting.

Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 3, since the upper and lower cradlesl8 and 26 are in frictional engagement with the entire circumference orperiphery of the hose in a lengthwise direction, the expansion of thehose, particularly by the annular bead 52 of the fittings, clearlyprevents the hose from being engaged longitudinally along its fulllength by the upper and lower cradles. For this reason, the upper andlower cradles, or channels 22 and 14, are dimensioned lengthwise so thatat opposite ends of the channels, the lengths of hose 44 and 46 areexposed, which lengths are sufficient to accommodate penetration by thefittings 36 and 38.

It was mentioned that the hose sections have a normal curvature,resulting from the fact that the-hoses are cured on a hose reel, theradius of curvature varying depending upon the wrap from which the hosesection is taken. Although the lengths of the hose ends exposed onopposite sides of the cradle mechanism E are only small, in the order ofa few inches, it was mentioned that the curvature in these exposed endsis sufficient to displace the end'openings from alignment with theholders C and D and fittings supported thereon. The extent of thiscurvature and the extent of displacement is illustrated in FIG. 5, theexposed ends 44 and 46 being substantially out of alignment with theaxis of the lower channel 18, and correspondingly, with the axes ofmovement of the holders C and The extent of the curvature is such thateven following clamping by the upper and lower channels 22 and 14, thehose ends 44 and 46 are out of alignment with the holders C and D.

Heretofore, it was necessary for the operator to hold these hose ends 44and 46 during the assembly step, as well as during the clamping step.

In accordance with the present invention the hose ends are automaticallyheld in alignment with the axis of the cradle 18 and accordingly inalignment with the axes of movement of the holders C and D. This isaccomplished by providing at opposite ends of the cradle 18, or onopposite sides of the cradle mechanism E, fingers 62 and 64 which areadapted to engage the hose ends. As shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, thesefingers are arcuate provided with cup-shaped or concave surfaces 66which have about the same radius as the outside surface of the hose (orinside surface of cradle 18), so that they are adapted to engage theouter surface of the hose over a portion of the periphery thereof. Thearcuate length of the fingers is such that they extend from about the 6o'clock position, where they contact the base of the hose, to about the2 oclock position curving slightly in an upper lip 76 onto the uppersurface of the hose. Both of the fingers 62 and 64 are arranged so thatthey face the front of the machine, the fingers having a normal position(FIG. 7) spaced slightly in front of the plane defined by the cradle 18,or between said plane and the plane of the axis defined by the cradle.The fingers are supported on flexible or resilient arms 68 and 70, madeof flat spring steel material, and extend in an upright direction sothat the fingers, because of the flexibility of the arms, are adapted todeflect generally radially away from the plane of the cradle axis.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate operation of the fingers. Initially, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, the curved hose F is centered in the cradle mechanismwith the larger radius surface 72 of the hose bearing against the frontedge 74 of the cradle 18, the hose ends 44 and 46 lying on top of theupper edges of the fingers 62 and 64. The operator then grasps the hoseends straighten ing the hose and forcing the ends downwardly into andagainst the concave surfaces 66 of the fingers. The stifi'ness in thehose causes the upstanding, spring steel arms 68 and to bend, the designof the arms being such as to give that amount necessary to locate thefingers, regardless of the hose curvature, substantially in the plane ofthe cradle 18. In this way, the fingers hold the hose straight, and thehose ends 44 and 46 substantially in alignment with the holders C and D.

The small extent of the lip 76 of each finger which extends over thehose is sufficient to retain the hose in place until the upper channel22 is brought down into clamping engagement with the hose.

It is an important feature of the invention that the flexibility of thearms 68 and 70 also is sufficient to permit expansion of the hoseexposed ends 44 and 46 on penetration of these ends by the fittings 36and 38. In this way, the fingers successfully hold the hose straight forthe assembly step, without in any way obstructing or blocking theassembly. I

The deflection of the fingers during the clamping and assembly steps isillustrated in FIG. 1.

Although the lower channel 14 is shown as horizontally oriented, and theram 28 as movable in a vertical plane, away from and towards the lowerchannel 14, it is to be understood that other orientations are possibleand within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the channel14 can be oriented on its side so that the cradle 18, instead of beingopen upwardly, faces in a horizontal direction roughly at to thedirection shownin FIG. 1, with the ram 30 movable horizontally towardsand awayfrom the channel to clamp on a hose section.

Also although the configuration of the fingers 58 and 60 illustrated inthe drawings is preferred, obviously other configurations for thefingers, within the scope of the present invention are available. Inthis respect, the fingers may be suspended differently, for instancefrom upper downwardly extending arms, and in other ways, it beingunderstood that various means of suspension are within the scope of theinventron.

Also, the hose may have to be placed in the machine with its curvaturefacing upwardly, rather than rearwardly as shown in FIG. 5, or evenforwardly. Which direction the hose curvature takes depends, followingwell known principles, upon the orientation of the coupler and nipple,and upon hose assembly specifications. Regardless of how the hose isoriented, the fingers can be correspondingly positioned and biased tostraighten the hose following hose clamping.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specifiedembodiment, other variations within the scope of the following claimswill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

I. A hose-straightening device comprising:

an elongated cradle adapted to receive a section of hose,

said cradle having a longitudinally extending axis, and a lengthslightly less than the hose to be positioned therein leaving exposedhose ends;

clamping means adapted to clamp a hose in said cradle againstlongitudinal movement in the cradle;

finger means adjacent the ends of said cradle adapted to engage saidhose ends; and

resilient means supporting said finger means, said finger means beingbiased toward said ends for aligning said ends with the cradle axis anddisplaceable radially outwardly therefrom when said hose ends areexpanded by the insertion of fittings thereinto.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the resiliency of saidresilient means is such that the finger means is substantially coplanarwith said cradle following clamping of the hose and engagement of saidfinger means with said hose ends.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said clamping means iscoextensive with said cradle, the cradle and clamping means frictionallyengaging substantially the full periphery of the portionof hose clampedtherein.

4. A device according to claim 2 wherein said finger means are concaveengaging a portion of the circumference of the hose ends, the radius ofthe finger means being equal substantially to the radius of the cradle.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said finger means engages saidhose ends from about the 6 o'clock position to about the 2 oclockposition thereon, said device having from and rear sides parallel tosaid cradle, the finger means concave surfaces facing forwardly.

6. A device according to claim 5 further including vertically orientedarm means supporting said finger means.

7. A device according to claim I wherein said clamping means is movablein a vertical plane.

8. An assembly jig for hose and hose fittings comprising: a hosestraightening device including a frame means; an elongated cradle insaid frame means adapted to receive a section of hose, said cradledefining a longitudinally extending axis and a curved plane encompassingsaid axis; clamping means adapted to clamp a hose in said cradle againstlongitudinal movement in the cradle, said clamping means beingsubstantially coextensive with said cradle, and adapted to engage withthe cradle substantially the full periphery of a section of hose clampedtherein;

said cradle and clamping mechanism having a length slightly less thanthe hose leaving exposed hose ends; finger means adjacent the ends ofsaid cradle adapted to engage said hose ends;

resilient means supporting said finger means, said finger means beingnormally adjacent the plane of said cradle axis and displaceableradially outwardly away from said plane to a first positionsubstantially coplanar with said cradle by said hose ends; 1

said jig further comprising opposed ram means each adapted to hold ahose fitting, said ram means being positioned adjacent the ends of thestraightening device elongated cradle;

means for moving said ram means axially towards and away from saidcradle to insert the hose fittings in the hose ends;

said finger means being further radially displaceable to a secondposition by the expansion of the hose ends from the fittingsinsertedtherein.

1. A hose-straightening device comprising: an elongated cradle adaptedto receive a section of hose, said cradle having a longitudinallyextending axis, and a length slightly less than the hose to bepositioned therein leaving exposed hose ends; clamping means adapted toclamp a hose in said cradle against longitudinal movement in the cradle;finger means adjacent the ends of said cradle adapted to engage saidhose ends; and resilient means supporting said finger means, said fingermeans being biased toward said ends for aligninG said ends with thecradle axis and displaceable radially outwardly therefrom when said hoseends are expanded by the insertion of fittings thereinto.
 2. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the resiliency of said resilient means issuch that the finger means is substantially coplanar with said cradlefollowing clamping of the hose and engagement of said finger means withsaid hose ends.
 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said clampingmeans is coextensive with said cradle, the cradle and clamping meansfrictionally engaging substantially the full periphery of the portion ofhose clamped therein.
 4. A device according to claim 2 wherein saidfinger means are concave engaging a portion of the circumference of thehose ends, the radius of the finger means being equal substantially tothe radius of the cradle.
 5. A device according to claim 4 wherein saidfinger means engages said hose ends from about the 6 o'' clock positionto about the 2 o''clock position thereon, said device having front andrear sides parallel to said cradle, the finger means concave surfacesfacing forwardly.
 6. A device according to claim 5 further includingvertically oriented arm means supporting said finger means.
 7. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said clamping means is movable in avertical plane.
 8. An assembly jig for hose and hose fittingscomprising: a hose straightening device including a frame means; anelongated cradle in said frame means adapted to receive a section ofhose, said cradle defining a longitudinally extending axis and a curvedplane encompassing said axis; clamping means adapted to clamp a hose insaid cradle against longitudinal movement in the cradle, said clampingmeans being substantially coextensive with said cradle, and adapted toengage with the cradle substantially the full periphery of a section ofhose clamped therein; said cradle and clamping mechanism having a lengthslightly less than the hose leaving exposed hose ends; finger meansadjacent the ends of said cradle adapted to engage said hose ends;resilient means supporting said finger means, said finger means beingnormally adjacent the plane of said cradle axis and displaceableradially outwardly away from said plane to a first positionsubstantially coplanar with said cradle by said hose ends; said jigfurther comprising opposed ram means each adapted to hold a hosefitting, said ram means being positioned adjacent the ends of thestraightening device elongated cradle; means for moving said ram meansaxially towards and away from said cradle to insert the hose fittings inthe hose ends; said finger means being further radially displaceable toa second position by the expansion of the hose ends from the fittingsinserted therein.